In brief
In Oslo, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with a hug, a gesture that could have signaled a fresh partnership. Yet Trump’s recent public attacks on Zelensky, combined with the decision to waive key sanctions on Russia and questions over U.S. intelligence and Starlink support, have left Kyiv wary of America’s commitment. The two leaders have diverging views on the direction of aid, with Zelensky calling for more weapon deliveries and the U.S. reportedly slowing ballistic missile fire‑control data. While Oslo talks offered optimism, long‑standing mistrust and policy shifts suggest that the U.S.–Ukraine relationship remains fragile.
A hug that could have symbolised a new chapter for U.S. support of Ukraine did not erase the deep scepticism that President Volodymyr Zelensky holds towards President Donald Trump. In Oslo, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff greeted Zelensky with a warm embrace, a gesture that Zelensky shared on social media with the message that his country was working for peace and grateful for partners’ support.
But the spirit of that hug is now being tested by a series of statements and actions that paint a very different picture. Trump has repeatedly called Zelensky a “bad guy” and has said the Ukrainian president does not know what he is talking about. These remarks followed in part the 2026 “Oil‑Diesel” deal with Russia that the Trump administration announced just days before sanctions were due to take effect.
The decision to waive the sanctions on Russia, announced two days before they were scheduled to kick in, prompted criticism from U.S. lawmakers. Critics argue that the move gives “carrots” to the Kremlin and “sticks” to those fighting it. Trump said the sanctions would impede his peace efforts and that they made Washington appear to side with Moscow.
Questions about intelligence sharing have compounded mistrust. Ukraine has complained that the U.S. has not been providing the timely missile‑warning data that it needs to intercept attacks by Russian drones. The Ukrainian presidency has insisted that the lack of early warning seriously threatens its cities.
Starlink and the related Starshield satellite network—critical for Ukraine’s battlefield communications—may also be subject to restrictions. While the U.S. Secretary of State denied any official decision to slow the service, Ukrainian officials have reported throttling and reduced bandwidth, hampering the army’s ability to track fast‑moving threats.
The relationship’s volatility dates back to earlier years. Trump has long harboured accusations that Ukraine tried to interfere in U.S. politics, a claim that led to his first impeachment after he pressed Zelensky to investigate the 2020 election. Those tensions still echo in the current administration’s approach to the country.
Despite a seemingly optimistic tone in Oslo—where Australian and European officials praised the talks—Zelensky remains cautious about the pace of reform and the continued supply of defence equipment, especially Patriot missiles. Meanwhile, the Trump team has signalled that they are ready to present an updated package to Russian President Vladimir Putin, driving the narrative that the U.S. may still wish to open dialogue through Moscow.
The situation remains a delicate balancing act for Kyiv and Washington alike. While the hug symbolised goodwill, the broader diplomatic record suggests that the U.S.–Ukraine partnership may still be at a crossroads, with political decisions on either side capable of tipping the scale in unpredictable ways.
